ESPANOL
Most car accidents that cause injuries also cause visible damages to a vehicle. But that is not always the case. Some car accidents may seem innocuous, leaving your car unscathed. While your car could be undamaged, you could still have injuries.
If a car accident left you with injuries, you might have a legal right to file a claim. Protect your right today by consulting a car accident lawyer. They can help you investigate your accident and build a compelling claim. They can pursue compensation against the liable party, whether there was damage to your car or not.
You Should Report Your Accident Even If There Was No Damage
After a car accident, it is best to file a police report. Reporting the issue will help you build a case against the at-fault party. Once you report the issue to the police, you will get a receipt with the identification number of the accident report. It is important to obtain a copy as it serves as valuable evidence for your case.
While the report attempts to document most of the issues related to the incident, it is never all-inclusive. Therefore, it is essential to collect as much evidence as possible to build a strong case.
If you can, take pictures of the scene, including all vehicles involved in the accident. Note down the name of the driver, their contact information, and their insurance company. If there are witnesses, collect their names and contact information.
Your Health Is a Priority After a Car Accident
After a car accident, your health is the first thing you want to address. By reporting your accident, you can request law enforcement to dispatch medical services to evaluate you and attend to your injuries. The medical team will help provide evidence to prove that you suffered injuries after your accident.
Furthermore, the at-fault party’s insurance companies may try to negotiate with you and entice you with an offer that is lower than what you deserve. Even worse, they may try to argue that your injuries were not caused by accident.
Having a report that details your injuries can not only help prove that you deserve compensation but determine the settlement you are entitled to.
There Could Be Vehicle Damage, Albeit Unnoticeable
Even when you can’t see the damages, it does not mean that your car is undamaged. A scratch, paint mark, or a similar minute mark can signify the presence of more severe damages. This is also true for bodily injuries. For soft tissue injuries, they may take some time to show.
So, if you drive off after an accident without addressing the accident, you could forfeit your right to file a claim when such injuries or damages make themselves visible later.
Here are some of the types of vehicle damages that can easily go unnoticed:
- Leaks: Even when there is no visible damage to your car, an accident can result in a leaky oil pan, radiator, or any other part of the car that holds fluids. The impact from the collision can cause a tiny rupture and create serious problems.
- Reduced battery life: The impact caused by a collision can knock the vehicle battery loose, causing some short-circuiting in the lead plates, thus shortening the life span of the battery.
- Alignment: Car bumpers are designed to absorb shock in case of a collision. But even in the absence of visible damage, the vehicle could be misaligned.
Given these types of damages, you should not assume a lack of visible damages after an accident means your car is in great condition.
Recoverable Damages in a Car Accident
The types of damages you can recover depend on the extent of your injuries and losses. However, the damages you are likely to recover include:
Medical Expenses
These expenses include the costs of your visits to the doctor, hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, and more. You may also recover treatment costs for future complications arising from the accident.
Lost Wages
If you missed work due to your accident injuries, you might recover compensation for the income you lost.
Property Damage
While there may be no visible property damage present, damage is still possible. You may be eligible to receive compensation to cover repairs or replacement of your vehicle.
Pain and Suffering
You can recover damages for the pain and suffering the accident caused you. Pain and suffering could be in the shape of physical pain, mental agony, and emotional turmoil.
The Comparative Negligence Law
Some states follow a modified comparative law of negligence. In Georgia or South Carolina, you can recover damages for your injuries from the responsible parties even if you were at fault, too. Your settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you cannot be more than 50% at fault. Otherwise, you are not entitled to compensation.
Let Us Handle Your Vehicle Accident Lawsuit
If you were in a car accident and there were no damages, you might still have a case as long as another driver is at fault or at least partly responsible. At George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve from an auto accident. Contact us today at (843) 779-1777 to learn how we can help.